Malzahn



Aug- 2, 1955 E. MALZAHN ENDLESS CONVEYOR DITCH DIGGING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 2, 1953 mw mm. QQNI .vv wv @w N J NIQNI wmv INVENTUR. WQZza/z,

B' mdf ATTDRNEYS Allg 2, 1955 E. MALZAHN ENDLESS CONVEYOR DITCH DIGGING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 2, 1955 INVENTOR. Z Zazie 772@ [za /ZJ,

ATTE] RN EYE United States Patent ENDLESS CONVEYR- DIT CH? DIGGN (nlI MACHINEl Edwin Mlzlih; Perry; oda. Applicationsanuary alassyserinliNd: 329,289- 2 Claims. (131537-865 This invention relates' to a ditch digging4 machine.`

The object` ofthe invention is vto provideI a machine which will facilitate the digging-` ofy ditchesyrthe presentv invention being portable and light" inweight so that ,it`

can be readily movcdfrom p lace to place astneeded, the present invention being adjustable so that thel rateiof` digging canbe varied as desired.

Another object of the invention isto provide a` ditch diggingmachine which is adaptedV to be used by plumbers, contractors, water departments, gas companies and the like whereby trenches can' be dug atlthve lowcstpossilzile-4 cost and in thevleast possible timefand `wherein ditches of various' widths 'can bereut, the `present invention being suitable for preparng'ditches and trenches for the laying.

travel in a horizontal direction, aswell as a novel means of transmittingpower and'impact. y

A further object ofthe invention is toprvidea ditchA digging machine which is extremely sirnple" and t inexpensive to manufacture;

Other objects` and advantages" will be4 apparent'during the course of'the following` description.

In the accompanyingdrawings; forming a part'oftthis application, and inv which like numerals are used toV designate like parts throughout theH sam'c i Figurel 1 is a side'elevational view'ofthe ditch digging machine, constructed according to the" present invention;

Figure 2` is a top plan viewof the ditch'diggingmachine,` with the motor removed and" taken on the line 2'-2` of` Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear elevational View of the machine` ofi the present invention;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional View showing a" portion ofthe manually operable means' for propelling" the machine.

FigureS is a fragmentary sectionalview'showihgthe bucket construction of the excavator assembly.v

Figure( 6l is aview` taken" at right angles toth'e'view"` shown in Figure 5.

Referring in detail to the drawings`,` tliefnumeral` 20" designates a frame which includesapairof spaced apa'rf beams 211.` A rearaxle 22 is connectedl to thefrare,"

and a pair of? suitable wheels 23` aremount'ed on" the axle 22. There' is further provided a" front axle' 24' which has a pair of wheels 25 mounted thereon.

A manually operable means is* provided fostecr'i`ng the machine ofthe present invention and this steering emchanism includes al post 26 which has'a `steeringwheel 27 mountedonitsupper end. A hand grip 28` may be secured to the steeringwh'e'cl 27, andl the lower end ofthe postv 26'is' securedwithin a4v collar 29S` Connected" tothe lower end' of the post' 26'isa" sprocket' 303 which has a chain 31 trained thereover.

A* second-7 spro'cletA 32 ofv larger diameter than the` sprocketV 30`ismounted 2,714,262 Patented Aug. 2, 1955v ice 2. on a shaft33, and they chain 31,is'trained overthesprocket 32. Thus, upon rotation of the sprocket 30 by meansV of the steering wheel 27,` the sprocket 32will also berotatedt An eccentric pin 34 connects `one end ofla link 354 to the sprocket 32,'and the other end` ofl the 1inkg3'5 is connected to a tie rod 36. A lever 38 ex-j tends between the tie rod 36 and a secondtie rod 37 so that-upon rotation of the steering wheel 27 thewheels- 25 can be turned so that the machine of the present-inventionrcan be guided or steered accurately.

Extending between the front ends` ofy the beams 21 is a brace 39', while extending between the `rear ends. of the beams 21 is a second brace 40'.r A bracketY 41 extends upwardly from the frame 20 and is `secured thereto, and a base 42 is pivotally connected to the bracket 41 by a pin 43. A suitable motor 44' which may' be powered by'gasoline is supported on the base 42 and rigidly secured thereto. The motor 44 serves tol rotate a drive shaft 45, and trained over a pulley mounted on the drive shaft 45 is a belt 46. There may be more than oney of the belts 46 provided, and the pulley onthe shaft 45 is indicated by the numeral 48.

Arranged rearwardly of the frame 20 isan-excavator Inechanismwhich is indicated generally by the numeral 50. Thislme'chanismincludes the driven shaft `47 which has a' pulley.A 49 mounted thereon, andthe belts 46 are`l trained over the pulleys 49. f The" excavator 50 further includes a lower sprocket 51 for each of the endless chains 52, and connected to th'e endless' chains 52 is' a-pluralty of intert'ting buckets 53; The bucket construction 53' is shown in detail in Figures 5 and 5, ande'ach ofthe buckets 53 has the same construction. Thus, each bucket 53 includes a wall p0rtion 54 and anarcuatew'all portion 55l The side portions of each ofthe buckets 53 are indicated by the numeral 56 and these side portions 56 converge toward each other for a purpose to be later described.` CuttingV teeth57 extendl from each of the wall portions`55 for facilitating the excavation of the dirt. y sprockets 58' for`the chains 52 aremounted on the shaft' 47, Figure 5L The excavator mechanism Silfurther'includes a means for insuringthat the chains 52V remain under proper' tension, and this meanscomp'rise's a post 59 which is slidably` mounted ina sleeve ti'that is connected to a'rms 68* byfa pin` 61, Figurc 1. A washer' 62 is cir-y cu'mposed on the post 59` and a stoppin 63 limits up@ Ward movement of the washer 62. A' second Washer'65 is arranged in spacedV parallel relation with respect to the'washer 62;` Figure 1, anda coil spring 64" is interposedbetween the pair of washers 62 and 65. A sleeve 66 is slidably mounted on the lower end of th'e post 59', and the sleeve 66 has journaled therein a shaft 67 on which the lower sprockets 51 are mounted. Thus, the'v spring 64serves to normally urge the shaft 67 away from the shaft 47 so that' the buckets 53 will be maintainedintheir proper spaced apart relation underV tension at all` times:

The pair of arms 68 are pivotally mounted" on* a pini, 69 which is journaled in a pair of lugs 70` that"' ex'ter`1d rearwardly from thebrace 40, Figures 1 andV 2. uSecured to eachfof the ar-ms'68'=isi a plate 71, the plate'71 being arranged in diverg'ing relation and the plate 71 serves totprcventany of the dirt that has-been excavated from accidentally falling back into the hole H.

A means isprovided for guiding the excavated dirt to one' side of the machine and trench, and this"means comprises a hollow housing 72 which is4 arranged contig'uousto `the-upperend of the excavating mechanism 501 The hollow housing 72 has pivotally connected thereto by means of securing elements 74, a chute Thus; when the buckets empty the dirt therefrom, the dirt The upper' will be first emptied into the housing 72 and from the housing 72 the dirt will pass down through the chute 73 to one side of the ditch being dug.

A means is provided for regulating the depth of cut of the excavating mechanism and this means comprises a standard 75 which is adjustably mounted in a casing 76, the standard 75 being maintained immobile by tightening a bolt and nut assembly 77. The standard 75 is mounted rearwardly of the machine, and a finger 78 having-a curved portion is secured to the lower end of the standard 75, the linger 78 acting as a feeler whereby the depth of excavating or digging will be accurately controlled.

A means is provided for propelling or moving the machine in a horizontal direction, and this manually operable means includes a ratchet 79 which is secured to the rear axle 22. A manually operable lever 83 carries a spring pressed pawl 84 and the pawl 84 is adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 79 to cause forward movement of the machine. Thus, the lever 83 is reciprocated or rotated by the driver conveniently sitting on the seat 86 whereby the pawl 84 will rotate the ratchet wheel 79 and this in turn will cause rotation of the shaft 22 so that the wheels 23 will be rotated whereby the machine will be propelled forwardly. The motor 44 as previously described, serves to cause continuous travelof the buckets 53 so that the trench or ditch can be dug as the machine moves along. The spring pressed pawl 84 is slidably mounted in a casing 85 that is secured to the lower end of the lever 83, the lever 83 being pivotally mounted on the shaft 22. A means is provided for preventing accidental rotation of the ratchet wheel 79 in the wrong direction, and this means includes a dog 81 which is slidably mounted in a casing which is secured to the frame 20. A key 82 is provided whereby the dog 81 can be disengaged from the ratchet wheel 79, and a similar key is provided for permitting disengagement of the pawl 84 from the ratchet wheel 79.

A means is provided for raising and lowering the excavating mechanism 50, and this means comprises a rod 87 which has a tube 88 slidably mounted thereon. A clamp 89 is connected to the tube 88, and the clamp 89 is also pivotally connected to a pair of levers 90, Figure 1. The front ends Of the levers 90 are pivotally connected to the bracket 41 by pins 91, while the rear ends of the levers 90 are pivotally connected by means of pins 92 to plates 93 which form part of the upper end of the excavating mechanism 50. A suitable handle 94 is connected to the clamp 89 so that by rotating the handle 94 the clamp 89 can be loosened or tightened on the tube 88. The levers 90 can be pivoted about the pin 91 whereby the excavating mechanism 50 can be raised and lowered so that the depth of cutting or digging can be accurately controlled since hydraulic uid under pressure can be supplied to the tube 88 to cause the tube 88 to move up and down on the rod 87. The excavating mechanism is held in its adjusted position and is prevented from collapsing by conventional control valves that are arranged in the hydraulic fluid circuit that supplies hydraulic iiuid to the tube 88. The lower end of the member 87 is pivotally connected to ears 96 which extend upwardly from the frame by means of a pin 95, Figure 4.

A means is provided for pivoting the base 42 so that the tension on the belts 46 can be decreased when desired. This means includes a handle or lever 97 which has its lower end pivotally connected to the frame 20 by a pin arrangement 102, Figure l. A link 98 is secured to the lower end of the handle 97, and a pin 99 pivotally connects a link 100 to the link 98. A pin 101 serves to pivotally connect the link 100 to the bottom of the base 42. Thus, by shifting the handle 97 about the pivot pin 102, the motor 44 and the base 42 can be pivoted about the pin 43 so that the tension on the belts 46 can be reduced when desired. Thus, should the digging mechanism become overloaded or hung on a small object, the tension on the belts may be released by depressing the lever 97 which is attached to the pivoting motor base 42. By quickly releasing the lever 97, the engine momentum applies a definite impact to the belts which is in turn transferred to the digging chain so that it is possible to use a much smaller motor than ordinarily required.

In use, the gasoline engine 44 can be actuated to thereby cause the endless chains 52 to travel since the belts 46 are trained over the drive shaft pulley 48 and the pulley 49. As the chains 52 travel in an endless path, the buckets 53 constantly travel with the chains so that the buckets are filled with dirt. These filled buckets are then moved upwardly from their lowermost position and the dirt empties into the housing 72 and from the housing 72 the dirt is guided to one side of the ditch being dug by means of the chute 73. The excavating mechanism including the buckets 53 can be raised and lowered by manipulating the handle 94 to operate the jack 89. The plate 71 serves to prevent the excavated dirt from accidentally falling back into the trench H. The steering wheel 27 can be used for guiding the machine and the lever 83 can be moved back and forth to propel the machine in a horizontal direction. Thus, by reciprocating the lever 83, the pawl 84 will engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 79 to rotate the shaft 22 to cause the machine to move forwardly.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that a machine has been provided which will effectively and eliciently dig trenches, ditches and the like. pletely portable and light in weight and can be used by anyone with a minimum amount of skill. With this machine digging time will be greatly reduced and the machine is very complete and compact so that it can be used close to fences and foundations. Also, it is highly maneuverable and will dig tight soil or heavy mud. The all steel buckets 53 are self cleaning and the spoils can be deposited on either side of the trench by means of the chute 73. The finger 78 follows the digger to provide a sharp clean cut ditch. The machine is especially suitable for digging small trenches which are to be used for receiving pipes, conduits or foundation excavations for small dwellings. The gasoline engine 44 may be air cooled and may be provided with a suitable gear reduction unit. The buckets 53 are so constructed that the bottom apron of one bucket forms a back for the following bucket. This construction is advantageous since it serves to clean the spoils from each bucket as they round the upper sprocket. The digging chain is operated in such a way as to enable the spoils to be thrown from the buckets 53 by centrifugal force and these spoils are deposited in the chute 73 after they leave the housing 72. To facilitate the digging, small teeth 57 are secured to each bucket 53. The tension on the belts 46 can be released in the event the digging mechanism becomes overloaded or hung on an object Thus, to release the tension the lever 97 can be swung in a clockwise direction, Figure l. Then, by quickly releasing the lever 97, the engine momentum applies a definite impact to the belts and this in turn is transferred to the digging chain so that it is possible to use a much smaller motor than ordinarily would be required. The pawl 84 may be disengaged when the machine is being moved from one location to another. The machine of the present invention is very light in weight.

I claim:

l. In a ditch digging machine, a mobile frame including a pair of spaced apart beams, a bracket extending upwardly from said frame and secured thereto, an excavator mechanism arranged rearwardly of the frame and including a driven shaft adapted to be connected to a power source, a lower shaft arranged in spaced parallel relation below said driven shaft, a pair of sprockets mounted on each of said shafts, endless chains trained over said sprockets,

The machine is coma plurality of interitting buckets connected to said chains, each of said buckets including a straight wall portion and an arcuate wall portion, and a pair of side portions, said side portions converging towards each other, a plurality of cutting teeth extending from each arcuate wall portion, a pair of arms pivotally connected to the rear of said frame, a sleeve connected to said arms, a post slidably slidably mounted in said sleeve, a pair of spaced parallel washers mounted on said post, a coil spring circumposed on said post and interposed between said pair of washers, a sleeve slidably engaging the lower end of said post and connected to the lower shaft of said excavating mechanism, a plate secured to each of said arms, said plates being arranged in divergent relation with respect to each other, a hollow housing arranged contiguous to the upper end of said excavating mechanism, a chute pivotally connected to said housing, a casing positioned at the rear ends of said arms, a standard adjustably mounted in said casing, a bolt and nut assembly for maintaining said standard immobile in said casing, a finger having a curved portion secured to the lower end of said standard, and means on said frame for raising and lowering the excavating mechanism.

2. In a ditch digging machine, a mobile frame including a pair of beams, a bracket extending upwardly from said frame and secured thereto, an excavator mechanism arranged rearwardly of the frame and including a driven shaft adapted to be connected to a power source, a lower shaft arranged below said driven shaft, a pair of sprockets mounted on each of said shafts, endless chains trained over said sprockets, a plurality of intertting buckets connected to said chains, each of said buckets including a straight wall portion and an arcuate wall portion, and a pair of side portions, said side portions converging towards each other, a plurality of cutting teeth extending from each arcuate wall portion, a pair of arms pivotally connected to said frame, a sleeve connected to said arms, a post slidably mounted in said sleeve, a pair of washers mounted on said post, resilient means circumposed on said post and interposed between said pair of washers, a sleeve slidably engaging the lower end of said post and connected to the lower shaft of said excavating mechanism, a plate secured to each of said arms, a housing arranged contiguous to the upper end of said excavating mechanism, a chute pivotally connected to said housing, a casing positioned at the rear ends of said arms, a standard adjustably mounted in said casing, a securing assembly for maintaining said standard immobile in said casing, a finger having a portion secured to the lower end of said standard, and means on said frame for raising and lowering the excavating mechamsm.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,912,743 Vaughn June 6, 1933 1,916,247 Barber July 4, 1933 2,169,184 French Aug. 8, 1939 2,231,983 Zuckerman Feb. 18, 1941 2,456,088 Scircle Dec. 14, 1948 2,648,145 Askue Aug. 11, 1953 2,686,981 Vaughn Aug. 24, 1954 2,700,264 Settler Jan. 25, 1955 

